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exclude the fellows of the Royal College of Physicians ofEdinburgh and Dublin, now in practice as physicians in Eng-land, from joining the Royal College of Physicians of England,within one year from the granting of this proposed charter,on the payment of a certain fee.

I am, Sir, your most obedient servant,JOHN CHARLES HALL,

Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh.The Right Hon. Sir George Grey, Bart., &c. &c. &c.

THE PROPOSED CHARTER TO THE COLLEGE OFPHYSICIANS.—THE FUTURE EXCLUSION OFSURGEONS IN GENERAL PRACTICE FROM THECOLLEGE.

To tlte Editor of THE LANCET.

SIR,—I was much pleased on reading the memorial ad.dressed by the council of the Provincial Medical and SurgicalAssociation to the College of Physicians, published in THELANCET of May the 6th, and likewise with your remarks at the head thereof, " that the proposals which it contained were Ifor the most part strictly just, and that if the president andcensors of the College of Physicians acted wisely, not one ofthose suggestions would be rejected."Too much praise cannot be given to you, Sir, for your zealous

advocacy on all occasions of the rights of all classes of theprofession; and perhaps it is only fair in this instance to re-cord, to the honour of the council of the Provincial Medicaland Surgical Association, that in the memorial alluded to,they have done themselves great credit, and the Associationthey represent, composed as it is of all classes in the profes-sion, that justice which it has a right to demand. But why,I would wish to inquire through your pages, should the Col-lege of Physicians close its ears in particular to clause No. 6of the memorial, one of the most important to a large bodyin the profession-viz., those who have educated themselvesas physicians, but who, from the force of circumstances, are atpresent engaged in practice either as surgeons or as generalpractitioners. The clause runs thus-" That gentlemen pos-sessing the degree of doctor in medicine from any Britishuniversity, bearing date prior to the first day of January,1848, but now.in general practice, may be hereafter entitled,on retiring from such practice, and being of the age of -years, to present themselves for admission as associates ormembers of the college; and that such gentlemen, on produc-ing sufficient testimonials of character and professional quali-fication, shall be admitted associates or members without further examination, on payment of an entrance fee of!1’uineas. exclusive of stamn dutv"Now 1 cannot really see any objection the college can pos-sibly entertain, when about to make a great reform, againstthis suggestion; whilst if equal justice is not dealt out to allparties, a great hardship will be inflicted on very many gen-tlemen in every respect qualified by their education and stand-ing, to practise at any future time as physicians.To state my own case as an example, doubtless the type of

many others; I graduated at a British university, passed asurgical college, and the London Apothecaries’ Hall. Havingundergone these ordeals, I naturally enough considered myeducation complete, and that I should be qualified to under-take any branch of practice Dame Fortune might allot me.To practise what has been called pure physic was my originalintention, and is still my ultimate hope, but circumstanceshappened to throw me for a time into practice as a surgeon.As the law now stands, I am as fully qualified to practise as aphysician as the hundreds who are at this moment enjoyingthat privilege in the provinces, with no other qualificationthan the British M.D.; but directly this charter is acceptedthese gentlemen are to be included as members, and I am forever shut out, unless I choose to become a student again, un-dergo another examination, (perhaps late in life) and pay thefull fee named in the by-laws, instead of the more moderateone of fifteen guineas, as proposed for those who may joinwithin twelve calendar months. I ask the president and fel-lows of the College of Physicians,-is this justice?

I hope, Mr. Editor, you will wield your powerful pencontinually until this monstrous anomaly be equitably ad-justed ; and I further call upon every medical practitionersituated as I have described myself to be, not to rest contenteduntil the college acts fairly by all parties interested, in theotherwise, I must acknowledge, admirable changes proposed.And should this letter catch the eye of Drs. Hastings and

Streeten, or others of the council, I trust it will prove a sti-mulus to them to persevei-e in their entreaties to, if not remon-

strances with, the college, until this as well as the other sug-gestions contained in the excellent memorial of our ProvincialAssociation shall be honourably recognised. I inclose mycard, and with the hope that you will give these remarks anearly insertion in your valuable journal,

I remain, Sir, yours very respectfully,May, 1848. JUSTITIA.

FOREIGN WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.To the Eclitor of THE LANCET.

SIR,—A correspondent, in THE LANCET of April 22nd,wished to know why the papers read before the ChemicalSociety were always adapted to French weights and measures.The reason is, most of the members received their chemicaleducation in either French or German laboratories, wherethe gramme is exclusively used, and they retain it when theyreturn to this country. As far as reading the papers beforethe Society goes, it is a matter of very little difference whatweights and measures are used, but when they advertise ajournal for sale, I think, in common honesty, they shouldat .least give the equivalents of the weights in English, andnot obtain the money of the purchasers under false pretences.

I remain, Sir, your obedient servant,Charlotte-st., Fitzroy-sq., 18!S. AN OLD SUBSCRIBER.

THE LIFE ASSURANCE OFFICES.

J. HILL WILLIAMS, Actuary.

AT the request of Dr. Cormack we publish the followingcorrespondence. The case does not require comment.

J. Hill Williams, Esq., to Dr. Gormack.12, Waterloo-place, May 6th, 1848.

SIR A proposal has been made to this association for anassurance on the life of -. It is required that the pro-poser furnish the directors with evidence of the life proposedbeing eligible for assurance. He has accordingly referred toyou on his behalf, as his medical attendant. It being im-portant that every circumstance connected with his healthand habits should be communicated to the office, I am de-sired to request that you will be pleased to favour the direc-tors with replies to the subjoined questions by an early post.The address to the office is printed on the back of this letter.

I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant,J. HILL WILLIA1IS, Actuary.

N.B.-As the directors consider and hold the answers thatmay be given to the subjoined questions as strictly confiden-tial, you will oblige by returning this letter to me throughthe post-office.the [Here follow twelve queries.]To Dr. Cormack, &c.

____

Dr. Cormack to J. Hill Williams, Esq.

JOHN ROSE CORMACK.

Putney, May Sth, 1848.

SIR,—I have received yours of the 6th inst., requestingfrom me a minute, and what you term a " strictly confidentialreport" on the health of . Besides being asked to answermany special and searching queries, I am requested to informyou if

" I can conscientiously recommend him as a safe lifefor assurance ?"As some insurance offices have been in the habit of re-

questing answers to questions of this very delicate descrip-tion, and of subsequently refusing to tender any pecuniaryconsideration for the same, it does not seem to me to be dis-courteous to you, while it is due to my profession and myself,to decline giving you the confidential assistance which youask, till I receive the fee of one guinea, or the promise of it.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,To J. Hill Williams, Esq. - JOHN ROSE CORDIACFC.

J. H. Williams, Esq., to Dr. Cormack.

J. HILL WILLIAMS, Actuary.

12, Waterloo-place, London.

SIR,—I have received yours of the 8th, in reference to myquestions relative to the health of -, who gave me yourname as that of a medical gentleman who would, free ofexpense to the Association, give information on the subject tothe directors of this office. The directors will employ andpay their own medical officer to report upon the life of ;and they must beg to refer you to that gentleman himselffor any remuneration that you may claim for communicatingto them your knowledge of his state of health.

I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant,To J. Rose Cormaek, Esq., M.D., J. HILL WILLIANS, Actuary.

Putney.